April 20-21, 2012 As a result of the Climate Change Adaptation and Planning Training held in January of this year by the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), the Micronesia Challenge, and Pacific Islands Marine Protected Areas Community (PIMPAC) a local Climate Change Outreach Committee was established and formed. The purpose of this committee- to use the skills and tools learned in this training to conduct community outreach programs educating local communities about Climate Change Adaptation. In this committee are a number of community leaders and climate change/environmental related practitioners including organizations such as the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the FSM Dept. of Resource and Development.
The Climate Change Outreach Committee (CCOC) conducted its second 2 day outreach education and awareness program in the community of Metipw, Madolenihmw from April 20-21 2012; the first one being in Takaieau, Uh last month. This program attracted about 50 participants over the course of the two days from two neighboring community structures-Metipw and Dolapwail.
Equipped with the toolkit provided from the training, which includes a flipchart and group exercises the community members took part in the outreach proved to be a huge success.
The group activities among the community members involved them creating a Historical Timeline of disasters that affected the island and their communities, sharing their thoughts and experiences with the effects of climate change, identifying target resources that are at jeopardy, and coming up with possible actions that they can take. The openended discussions also proved these communities to be very knowledgeable about their environment and taught the CCOC things as well.
With the aim of raising awareness, educating, and community planning the CCOC is grateful to these two communities for their participation and wonderful hospitality and looks forward to upcoming outreach projects as well.